A little personal history with an honest question....

[rhpike]

Originally Posted by mvmojo

Owned/sailed a Whitby 42 ketch for 6 years in the Caribbean. Thought it was a very well built (Ted Brewer design) boat. They're getting pretty old now so can likely be purchased well within your budget (but I haven't looked). Easy to work on, great engine access.

I second this recommendation. Grew up sailing on my Dad's Whitby 42 in Venezuela. Boat sailed down from factory in Canada in some pretty rough weather and made it dry and safe. Currently live in Houston, TX, and there is a Whitby 42 that raced a few years ago in the Harvest Moon regatta, and won her class.

[Greaph]

I remember that Harvest Moon. I was on the Esperanza, a red J30. Had a great time.

[Don C L]

I may have missed it but this site may have some more ideas for you:
https://sailboat.guide/discover/blue-water-boats

[Capdave360]

Originally Posted by Greaph

I did actually learn a few things searching the forum as suggested (including the search engine seems anemic). I wasnt aware of the consistent build shortcuts, particularly after 1980. The ones I've been looking at from afar are in the 50-70k range and have well documented maintenance and records. I am not averse to a cheaper project boat, but all repairs would need to be completed and the vessel ready in an 18m time period after I bought it, and it would preferably be ready for light coastal sailing immediately.

My upper limit at this time is 70k. If I wait a year or 18m, I can stretch that to 150k, bringing some of those Lord Nelsons and Hans Christians into reach. This is probably the best course of action, but honestly, Hellkat and I have been away from the salt too long. It will be difficult.

The shortcuts taken by most Taiwan builders in the earlier days result in some VERY expensive boats to own now - rotten cores in decks and deck structures, poor quality stainless for critical fittings and tanks, wet rudders with weak internal structures, non-marine wire, on and on. Some were better, some were worse. Even in one yard and in the same design quality could vary a lot. If somebody hasn't been through these things and fixed them - you will have to $$$$. I worked for Ted Hood in 1985-86, and they specified the materials to the last detail and supervised build process very closely - and got some good results. I put a lot of miles on a few different Little Harbor 53s and others and they were great boats, though some of the system installs could be weak.

I want to suggest two boats for you to look at that both have way higher original build quality than most Taiwan boats of that era. It's not that there won't be problems and issues from age and etc., but most of the time you're not having to fix problems from the original build!

The first is a Trintella IV, Also called a Victory 40. A close friend owned one for decades and used her hard, and I once delivered one down the North Sea from Norway to Holland in April! It's more of a motorsailer, shallow draft with a big engine, but they're beautifully built and they can sail pretty well once you fall off a bit:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...lla-4-3595304/

The second is an Amphitrite 43, another beautifully built boat and a legendary Holman & Pye design. I've been aboard several, never sailed one. I believe she will sail pretty well for what she is, definitely better than the Trintella. There are a lot for sale right now, from $45K to $145K - maybe if you like the boat there's one in there that work for you! Here are three in your price range:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...trite-3575527/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...te-43-3174121/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...te-43-3652873/

Who knows how badly people want to sell - so it's worth looking at all of them on yachtworld to see what's out there.

PS - it's worth saying that I often see Amphitrites out actually cruising - the sign of a successful design/build!

Happy Hunting!!

[Capdave360]

Some more ideas for you:

Extremely high build quality - Contest 38:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...st-38-3566302/

Her bigger sister, shame about the teak decks but if pictures are to be believed otherwise in fantastic condition - Contest 42:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...st-42-3575855/


Angus Primrose Design Moody 42. I delivered one of these from Port Jose Banus, Spain to Halifax Nova Scotia in 1985. The first boat linked below is actually that exact boat - saw her this summer, talked with the owner but didn't go aboard. He's been doing laps from NS to Caribbean.

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...ketch-3646383/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...ketch-3515249/


Laurent Giles design, built by Moody - Carbineer 44. Called a "gentleman's motorsailer". People either love or hate the look. It's actually on the hard about 1,000 meters from me in Grenada:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ineer-3654988/


You can afford an Amel, you just need to look a little smaller/older, the Sharki:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...harki-3598591/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...harki-3242661/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...harki-3641552/


If I get some more ideas I'll post them.

Happy Hunting!!

[Greaph]

@Capdave360
Many good suggestions for me to go through! Thank you for taking the time!

[Capdave360]

Originally Posted by Greaph

@Capdave360
Many good suggestions for me to go through! Thank you for taking the time!

You're welcome! It was fun, kind of a walk down the memory lane of my misspent youth!!

Don't know how I forgot Camper Nicholson!!! One of the premier builders of yachts for over a century. I almost bought a Nic 38 once but decided it was too small. I later ran a Nic 60 for a while, beautiful Pedrick design, could really sail in big weather!

These older Nics are North Sea boats - you either like the look or you don't....I guess a couple of them are more modern looking. Here is a selection:

Nic 48 - This is an extremely capable yacht. A number for sale, some over $100K, here are two in your price range:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ckpit-2948687/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...on-48-3485996/


Nic 42 - smaller sister, some bargains out there:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ns-42-3175935/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ns-42-3231143/


Nic 40 - elegant yacht, not North Sea:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...on-40-3515503/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...ns-40-3497071/


Nic 39 - less North Sea, but never cared for its looks, a bunch of them for sale

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ns-39-3524398/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ns-39-3135303/


Nic 38 - Baby sister to the 48/42, originator of the series. Quite a small boat, used to see them all over but people buy bigger boats these days:

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...on-38-3491901/

https://www.yachtworld.com/boats/197...ketch-3646448/


Happy Hunting!!

[dgmyles]

Originally Posted by Greaph

As beautiful as that Tayana 37 is, my wife will not go for it. She is deadset on a vessel in the 41' to 51' range, preferably with an aft cabin. Layout is not as important to me, as I am more than passing fair at cabinetry, plumbing, electrical and design. I would, however prefer to stay under 51', as my wife is not a big person, and she needs to be able to operate all sheets while standing watch.

Whilst I have no personal experience e, a design I have been considering myself is the CSY 44. The full keel walk through version may well tick most if not all of your boxes They are available at the upper end of your price range and it would seem have a very good rep as a cruising boat.

[exMaggieDrum]

Originally Posted by rhpike

I second this recommendation. Grew up sailing on my Dad's Whitby 42 in Venezuela. Boat sailed down from factory in Canada in some pretty rough weather and made it dry and safe. Currently live in Houston, TX, and there is a Whitby 42 that raced a few years ago in the Harvest Moon regatta, and won her class.

I'll put in a good word for Whitby 42's. We had one for ten years. Refit her in Washington state and sailed her to Mexico and then to New Zealand over a four year period. She had been a real South and North Pacific veteran with her previous Canadian owner. We sold her to an Australian couple who sailed her from there to Thailand/Indonesia and then shipped her to Turkey. From there they cruised the Med, took her through the French canals up to the North Sea and then sailed around the British Isles for a couple of years. Then across to the Caribbean, through the Canal and back to Oz where they just sold her.



They, and we, were delighted with her as a classic plastic rough and tough boat. She has huge fuel and water tankage. An absolutely great liveaboard layout. An engine room to die for for that size sailboat. There is a Whitby owners group and website. There are some known issues but compared to other boats they are really minor. Not the fastest but on a good wind she can be hard to catch by other boats of the same vintage and many much newer boats. A cutaway full keel. Skeg hung rudder to protect the prop. Huge storage and good size reefer/freezer.



Should be on your list to consider if you can find one that has been loved over the years.